The Positive Role and Limitations of Vegetation on the Slope Stability

Plant root-complex, formed in the surface soil, can achieve the purpose of maintaining the slope stability through enhancing the shear strength of slope soil. While the root zones of most plants distribute generally within 1 meter soil layer and the critical slip surface passes below the rooting zone, the root-complex has minimal effect in slope stability. Besides, the shear strength of slope developed by vegetation may be weaker than that of uncovering slope under the same rainfall condition, this suggests that the vegetated slope protection has limitations. However, vegetated slope have macrospore flow paths with preferential flow effect, which will have certain effect on landslide inoculation.